Rescue of trapped Chile miners begins after 68 days

The rescue operation of pulling out 33 Chile miners trapped underground for 68 days began on Wednesday at San Jose mine. So far two miners have been rescued. (See pics)

The first miner, Florencio Avalos, wearing a helmet and sunglasses to protect him from the glare of rescue lights, smiled broadly as he hugged rescuers, and then embraced Chilean President Sebastian Pinera.

Avalos' wife, two sons and father looked on. His seven-year-old son Bairo sobbed, as did Chile's first lady, Cecilia Morel.

After he emerged from the capsule that was pulled out of a manhole-sized opening, bystanders cheered and clapped, then broke into a chant of "Chi! Chi! Chi! Le! Le! Le!" -- the country's name.

Avalos gave a thumbs-up as he was led to an ambulance and medical tests after his more than two months deep below the Chilean desert -- the longest anyone has ever been trapped underground and survived.